C19 Chinese MS moxibustion point chart: Underarm odour point

Acu-moxa point chart, showing underarm odour (yeqi) point, from Chuanwu lingji lu (Record of Sovereign Teachings), by Zhang Youheng, a treatise on acu-moxa in two volumes. This work survives only in a manuscript draft, completed in 1869 (8th year of the Tongzhi reign period of the Qing dynasty). It is illustrated with 84 charts, finely executed in colour.

The text states: Underarm odour popularly known as huchou [lit. fox stench - the current Chinese term for body odour]. To treat this, first shave the armpits with a sharp blade, then apply a mixture of good-quality starch and water to the affected area. In six to seven days' time, a black patch will appear in the armpit, with an opening the size of the eye of a needle. This is the underarm odour point. Perform moxibustion with three or four moxa cones the size of a grain of millet. This will get rid of underarm odour for good.

Title: Underarm Odour (yeqi) Moxibustion Chart. Caption: Carry out moxibustion on the dark opening.